Thanks, Recession!

So, the recession screwed many of us in many ways. You didn't necessarily need to lose your house or job to feel the effects...ask any law student hoping for the cushy summer associateships of years past.

But one way the recession helped us out was by scaring the hell out of retailers. Several stores have figured that students retain their disposable income, even in hard times, and have instituted student discounts. Club Monaco began offering a 20 percent discount last Spring, which I took advantage of like it was a drunk freshman. As of today, Banana Republic (we hear from a friend who works there) is up to the same thing, but at a 15 percent discount.

So, for those of us who have retained a student ID card via either scholastic achievement or trickery ("issued: 2005" looks just like "issued: 2008" with a little sharpie magic...and really, any salesperson who questions your graduation date can be easily thrown off the scent with near tears about how difficult your learning disability makes it to take a full course load), take advantage of your student status...to stock up on work clothes. (Sidenote, the BR discount also applies to teachers...you're welcome TFA folks.)